Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) secretary, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month. The masking requirement intended to combat the coronavirus pandemic now runs through February 15. While citing a recent surge in the state’s positivity rate to over 21 percent, Ghaly also noted data on […]
Original Articles
-
-
Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP
Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]
-
Cal/OSHA Seeks Huge Penalties in Refinery Explosion
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited ExxonMobil Refining for 19 alleged violations following an investigation into the February 18 explosion at the company’s Torrance refinery. The incident only slightly injured four workers, but investigators concluded that management had been aware of hazardous conditions at the unit in question, yet took no steps […]
-
Standards Board Finally Gets Seats Filled
Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed four current members of the Cal/OSH Standards Board and named two new members to Cal/OSHA’s rulemaking body. The appointments are being said to provide both stability and new faces to the board. The newly appointed members are Robert Blink, 62, of San Francisco, and John Sacco, 60, of Rocklin. Both […]
Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web
News Digest 1-26-2022
Flash: Biden Withdraws COVID Vaccine Rule
U S Supreme Court ruling spelled the end of the ETS, but is there more to come? Cal-OSHA Reporter
Tampa lead factory faces $518K in more fines for environmental violations
A Tampa lead factory is facing $518,000 in additional fines following a two-month inspection by local environmental regulators prompted by a Tampa Bay Times investigation. Tampa Bay Times [may require registration]
Prosecutors charge New York man with OSHA scam
A Mamaroneck, New York man is facing conspiracy to commit fraud relating to identification documents, production of false identification documents, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, after a fake OSHA card at the Javits Center construction site uncovered a massive fake ID ring. News 12 New Jersey
Contractors cited after fatal Florida scaffolding collapse
Fed-OSHA has fined two contractors after carpenters fell while working on a three-story home in Bradenton Beach, Florida last June, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other. The men were on makeshift scaffolding when the wood plank they were standing on teetered, causing them to fall about 25 feet, according to a witness. The scaffolding was anchored to the wall with just nails. Bradenton Herald
Three material handling solutions to address workforce challenges
As labor shortages persist, preventing injuries, maximizing operator utilization and promoting uptime will be essential to efficient and profitable processing in the recycling industry. Here are three ways automated material handling solutions help reduce workforce challenges. Recycling Today
Store hours reduced as employees call in sick
Customers across the country are encountering early closings and food shortages at restaurants and grocery stores. Processing plant, food distribution and grocery store employees have called in sick as well, resulting in food shortages. In Arizona, 1 in 10 processing plant and distribution workers at a major produce company were recently out sick. In Massachusetts, employee illnesses have slowed the flow of fish to supermarkets and restaurants. SHRM